Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Some of Canada's top junior golfers gathered at Amherst Golf Club in Amherst, NS, from June 19-21, for the MJT East Coast Junior Championship presented by adidas Golf, a 54-hole, WAGR-ranked championship that has become one of Atlantic Canada's premier junior golf events.

 

Now in its third year under the direction of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada's leading competitive junior golf tour, the championship continues a proud tradition supported by the Nova Scotia Golf Association (NSGA), Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB), and the Prince Edward Island Golf Association (PEIGA). Drawing talented 19U competitors from across the country, the event offered far more than the iconic East Coast Junior Trophy, division titles, premium prizing, and on-course contests. Players were also competing for direct and shortlisted qualifying positions into three of the MJT's most sought-after international and national opportunities: the Jack Newton Junior Golf Championship in Australia, the MJT National Tour Challenge in Ontario, and the Sergio Garcia Junior Championship in Spain.
 

A closing-round 70 boosted 17-year-old Kooper MacKay of Wolfville, NS, to the top of the MJT Junior Boys division with a 54-hole total score of 226, two strokes ahead of a tie for second. MacKay credited his father for helping prepare his game for the championship, saying, “My father was a huge help getting my game in a good place for this event, and that made him an instrumental help.” His plan throughout the week was to keep the ball in position, noting, “My strategy was to hit fairways and greens because I knew the greens here were tricky.”

The MJT Girls 15-19 title came down to extra holes after Claira Frizzell, 15, of Dartmouth, NS, and Frédérique Doiron, 16, of Dieppe, NB, finished tied at 239. Frizzell prevailed on the first playoff hole to earn the division title. When asked if anyone’s support helped her to victory, she stated, “My dad, for driving me up each day and for helping me.” Reflecting on the championship, Frizzell added, “The event was great, my second MJT ever, and staff/Tournament Directors were great.”

Stratford, PE's Colin MacCormac, 16, posted rounds of 76, 74, and 76 to finish at 226 and take the MJT Juvenile Boys title by two strokes. MacCormac expressed gratitude to those who helped him along the way, saying, “A big shout to my family, because winning wasn't possible without them. I also want to shout out to Top Notch Golf for all their support with my equipment and coaching.” He also appreciated the championship's challenge, noting, “This MJT event was very fun and tough. It was very good to get a three-dayer under my belt before the Golf Canada Next Gen Atlantic.”

Port Williams, NS, golfer Lila Bishop, 14, led the MJT Girls U15 division with a three-round score of 236. Bishop's game plan focused on smart positioning around Amherst's challenging greens, explaining, “My strategy was to put the ball below the pin and putt the first putt close.” After the tournament, she said, “The event was great, and Amherst was tough as always.”

A final-round 72 vaulted 12-year-old Caleb Kennedy of Kitchener, ON, to victory in the MJT Bantam Boys division, where he finished with a total score of 235, good for a two-shot victory. Kennedy credited his father for helping him rebound after the opening rounds, saying, “My dad helped me get back into it after days 1 and 2.” His approach throughout the championship was aggressive, with a simple strategy: ‘Attack the pin.’

Kentville, NS, native, Joshua Nickerson, 12, rounded out the championship with a strong 75 to finish first in the MJT Peewee Boys division at 246. Nickerson pointed to a practice round with a fellow champion as a valuable learning experience, saying, “My friend, Kooper MacKay, taught me some stuff on the course during my practice round.” He was equally enthusiastic about the tournament itself, adding, “10/10. Good event, good prizes. Thank you MJT and Amherst Golf Course.”

Top finisher scores and the list of qualified players are noted below. Results from the Bomber Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found here.  

 

Next up in the region is the MJT PLYR Series at Kingswood Resort, taking place August 1-2 in Fredericton, NB. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

1. Kooper MacKay (17), Wolfville, NS | 75, 81, 70 (226)        

2. Riley Moore (17), West Vancouver, BC | 76, 75, 77 (228)

2. Tucker Doiron (18), Stewiacke, NS | 75, 75, 78 (228)

 

1. Claira Frizzell (15), Dartmouth, NS | 83, 78, 78 (239) *Won Playoff          

2. Frédérique Doiron (16), Dieppe, NB | 76, 83, 80 (239) 

 

MJT Juvenile Boys: Amherst GC: Par 71, Ydg 6415, Slope/Rating 138/72.0

1. Colin MacCormac (16), Stratford, PE | 76, 74, 76 (226)

2. Carter Lavigne (16), Moncton, NB | 77, 77, 74 (228)         

3. Justin Dupuis (15), Dieppe, NB | 76, 79, 82 (237)
 

1. Lila Bishop (14), Port Williams, NS | 78, 74, 84 (236)         

2. Rachel Adamis (14), Edmonton, AB | 98, 91, 103 (292)

 

1. Caleb Kennedy (12), Kitchener, ON | 81, 82, 72 (235)       

2. Ethan White (14), Charlottetown, PE | 86, 76, 75 (237)     

2. Eddie MacPherson (14), Halifax, NS | 80, 76, 81 (237)

MJT Peewee Boys: Amherst GC: Par 71, Ydg 5443, Slope/Rating 125/67.3

1. Joshua Nickerson (12), Kentville, NS | 84, 87, 75 (246)      

2. Beau MacPhee (12), Charlottetown, PE | 85, 86, 86 (257)

3. Elijah Faddoul (12), Halifax, NS | 97, 95, 93 (285)

 

Qualified and Shortlisted Players
JNJG (Australia)(Shortlisted)

Boy: Kooper MacKay, Colin MacCormac

 

Boys: Caleb Kennedy, Kooper MacKay, Colin MacCormac

Girls: Claira Frizzell

 

Boy: Kooper MacKay, Colin MacCormac 

About adidas Golf: adidas is a global leader in the design and manufacture of athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories, committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation to help athletes perform at their best. Founded in 1949 by Adolf “Adi” Dassler, adidas has grown to become one of the most recognized brands in the world, known for its iconic three-stripe logo and its dedication to sustainability, inclusivity, and performance. With a focus on creating cutting-edge products for athletes across a variety of sports, adidas is committed to inspiring and empowering individuals to unlock their full potential, both in sport and in life. Through collaboration with athletes, designers, and partners, adidas continues to drive progress in the world of sports and fashion, delivering high-quality products that combine style, functionality, and sustainability.

About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s #1 Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is supported by partners across various tiers, including Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. The MJT hosts more than 100 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11-19 which also offer qualifiers for international tournaments. The program has annual awards, scholarships and incentives to help reward performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and PGA of Canada Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to the provincial, national, university and professional levels.

 

Media Contact: Jessica Parker, marketing@maplejt.com 
Marketing Manager, MJT